Australian Open 2022: Rafael Nadal fights against Denis Shapovalov in five sets in the semifinals

After 4:07 hours of play, Rafael Nadal (Spain / No. 6) converted his first match ball at temperatures above 30 degrees and stretched both fists into the sky.

Denis Shapovalov (Canada/No. 14), on the other hand, smashed his racquet and simply dropped it on the net – that’s how narrowly he missed the semifinals.

“I don’t know how I did it. I was completely destroyed,” said Nadal: “It was very warm. I was a bit lucky at the beginning of the fifth set. Shapovalov served very hard, he’s very talented. I would have I could maybe do it in the third set, after that I got tired. It’s unbelievable to be in the semifinals.”

Australian Open

Great reaction: Nadal strong as a bear on the net

AN HOUR AGO

Nadal also revealed that he was still fearing the end of his career after his foot injury recently: “The complete truth is that two months ago I didn’t know if I could even return to the tour. Now I’m here – for me it’s a gift. And I just enjoy it.”

Denis Shapovalov causes a scandal

Shapovalov caused an uproar in the duel against Nadal after the first set when he snapped at referee Carlos Bernardes Junior from Brazil for what the Canadian thought was too lax handling of the shot clock.

“You are all corrupt!” Shapovalov causes a scandal

Nadal had taken too long for Shapovalov after the change of sides, but Bernardes Junior did not warn the Spaniard. “You’re all corrupt,” the 22-year-old hothead whispered to the referee twice. But Bernardes Junior didn’t warn Shapovalov for it either.

Previously, the Zverev conqueror had not found the match well at all. Nadal already broke him to 3:1 and then cruised through to 6:3.

Rafael Nadal takes a 2-0 lead – then Shapovalov comes on

After Shapovalov’s deliberate break in style, the 35-year-old needed a little in the second round to find his top form again.

The Canadian was better at rallies, but again it was Nadal who broke to make it 4:3 and thus made the preliminary decision to win the set. To date, Shapovalov had not created a break chance at all.

What a backhand: Nadal passes Shapovalov

The 22-year-old only got it at 3: 2 in the third round, but Nadal fended off both of the Canadian’s breakballs. Everything stayed in line until 5:4 Shapovalov, but then Nadal suddenly found himself exposed to a 0:40 on his own serve – Shapovalov used his second set ball and shortened to 1:2 sets.

Nadal reduces – Shapovalov gets set three with a great backhand

Nadal struggles with stomach problems

In the fourth round, Nadal’s stomach became noticeable; the Spaniard moved more slowly, stopped chasing every ball and, after another break by the Canadian, took a “medical time out” when the score was 1:4. Nadal indicated that he had problems with his stomach.

“I didn’t feel good with my stomach anymore. I took a few pills,” explained the Spaniard later.

Stomach problems! Nadal needs a doctor

Nadal fought his way to two break chances at 3: 5, but Shapovalov remained strong and forced the equalization of the set.

Shapovalov discusses again – Nadal pulls through

When Nadal disappeared into the dressing room after the fourth set and needed more than five minutes – as prescribed by the new “toilet rule” – Shapovalov again discussed with the referee. But there was no warning again.

At the beginning of the deciding sentence, the Mallorquin reared up again. Despite fading strength, Nadal took a 2-0 lead, but then had problems with his own service again. Shapovalov had two chances for a rebreak, but missed the break chances through his own mistakes.

So Nadal was still able to pull through. “It wasn’t really better after the pill, but I’m glad I served so well in the fifth set,” said Nadal, relieved afterwards.

Nadal makes fewer mistakes than Shapovalov

“It was an incredible feat, he was more than on reserve,” said EurosportExpert Barbara Rittner: “I always thought: Can he play through or does he fall over? He really couldn’t anymore. And he’s anything but an actor. Hats off to this incredible fighter Rafael Nadal. I really had goosebumps.”

In the end, 13 more points were decisive for Nadal (148:135). The Spaniard also made significantly fewer unforced errors than his opponent (28:51) with slightly fewer winning strokes (41:53). While Shapovalov missed six of his eight break chances, Nadal converted three of seven – that was enough to win the match.

“Shapovalov didn’t take advantage of a big chance because he made slight mistakes and lost the game a little at the beginning of the fifth set,” said Rittner.

Nadal just got back on tour

Shapovalov hatte in the round of 16 surprisingly clearly defeated the German hope Alexander Zverev (Hamburg / No. 3).. The Canadian had never made it past the third round in four appearances in Melbourne – so reaching the quarter-finals was a personal best for him.

Insanity! Nadal wins point from an almost hopeless position

In the semifinals on Friday, it’s against Matteo Berrettini (Italy/No. 7) or Gael Monfils (France/No. 17), who will play in the night session on Tuesday. From a Canadian point of view, Félix Auger-Aliassime (No. 9) still has the chance to reach the semi-finals on Wednesday. However, he meets the tournament favorite Daniil Medvedev (Russia/No. 2).

Nadal had Wimbledon and the US Open in 2021 a foot injury that has accompanied him since 2005 missed and only returned to the big tennis stage at the Australian Open.

Great reaction: Nadal strong as a bear on the net

Nadal keeps dreaming of the Grand Slam record

The 35-year-old Spaniard had last year after his French Open semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic only played in Washington in August, but then ended the season because of the foot injury, which ultimately even had to be operated on.

After his comeback after a show fight against Shapovalov in December, the Spaniard also found a COVID infection. At the beginning of 2022, however, the 20-time Grand Slam winner reported with the same strength as a bear Melbourne 250 title back.

“He said himself that he felt so tired, he wasn’t prepared for it,” he said EurosportExpert Rittner: “He had Corona beforehand – then a lot comes together. In the end, the adrenaline is pure, the will is pure, the heart is pure. He put everything into it. That’s what we all love about him in the last few years 20 years.”

Nadal is looking forward to a two-day break

Nadal is in the semifinals of the Australian Open for the seventh time. The Spaniard could achieve his 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne – that would be a record ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer (all 20 each), both of whom are not at the start in Melbourne.

Nadal has only won the Australian Open once (2009) – he lost four times in the final (2012, 2014, 2017, 2019). After the exhausting game against Shapovalov, the Spaniard is looking forward to a two-day break before the semifinals.

“I’m not 21 anymore, it’s really good that I have a two-day break. I actually felt physically good, I was flexible, but the conditions here demand everything,” said Nadal: “It was a big test and I firmly believe that I will be ready for the semifinals.

Australian Open 2022: Results Men’s Singles

Played world class: Nadal duped Shapovalov with a passing shot

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